Newsweek News Article -- Kristi Noem Faces Investigation Calls After Losing DHS Job -- Published Mar 06, 2026 at 03:54 AM EST updated Mar 06, 2026 at 06:53 AM EST - By Jordan King US News Reporter

 Newsweek

News Article

Kristi Noem Faces Investigation Calls After Losing DHS Job

Published

Mar 06, 2026 at 03:54 AM EST

updated

Mar 06, 2026 at 06:53 AM EST

By Jordan King

US News Reporter

Kristi Noem is facing calls for an investigation into her tenure after she was fired from her role as homeland security secretary.

President Donald Trump made the announcement on Thursday, after two contentious days of congressional hearings in early March, where lawmakers pressed her on the Department of Homeland Security's tactics in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by federal agents earlier this year, her ties to adviser Corey Lewandowski, and other allegations.

But several Democrats and commentators are calling for further action against Noem, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker who told her directly: “I guarantee you, you will still be held accountable.”

Why It Matters

Calls for an investigation into Noem underscore mounting scrutiny of leadership and accountability at one of the federal government’s most powerful agencies.

Lawmakers and political leaders say questions about DHS spending, potential conflicts of interest and immigration operations should be examined even after her departure.

The episode highlights how political pressure can follow officials beyond their tenure, especially when federal funds and national security policy are involved.

Read More

News

Kristi Noem’s Chances of Leaving Cabinet Surge After Trump Report

DHS Faces Scrutiny Over $70M Luxury Jet Tied to Kristi Noem

Markwayne Mullin’s Family: Who Are His Wife and Six Kids?

?

More Related Stories

It also reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, a central player in U.S. border policy and domestic security.

What To Know

Trump announced Thursday that Noem would leave as homeland security secretary and transition to a newly created diplomatic role as special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, as he nominated Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS.

Pritzker was one of several who called for more accountability on the issues Noem was questioned about, saying in a video address posted to X: “Hey Kristi Noem, don’t let the door hit you on the way out…Now that you’re gone, don’t think you get to just walk away, I guarantee you, you will still be held accountable.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz seemingly hinted at a possible investigation in Minnesota when he told The Briefing on MS NOW “there needs to be” accountability.

“I would just say at this time that former Secretary Noem should probably get used to spending more time in Minnesota, because I have a pretty good feeling in the future she may be doing that because we have got to get accountability,” he said.

Conservative commentator Meghan McCain called for an investigation into a $200 million border‑security advertising campaign that featured Noem heavily, after Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy questioned the DHS secretary earlier this week on its cost and whether the president approved the expensive endeavor.

“There should be a federal investigation into how Kristi Noem spent 200 million of our taxpayer dollars on her ridiculous DHS promotional videos,” McCain said in a post on X.

“One episode of Game Of Thrones cost $15 million to make,” she said. “What exactly were they spending the gross GDP of a small country on?”

The move came one day after high-profile hearings where lawmakers pressed Noem. House Judiciary Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, accused Noem of presiding over abuses and obstruction, citing alleged constitutional violations, court-order defiance, and mischaracterizations of the Minneapolis victims, while pressing for accountability. House Judiciary Democrats press release.

What People Are Saying

Representative Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican and chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, previously told Newsweek: "I thank Secretary Noem for her service to our country. I look forward to continuing this Committee’s important work alongside DHS Secretary nominee Mullin, and I call for his swift confirmation.

“In the meantime, I urge my Democrat colleagues to make the right decision and stop playing dangerous games with DHS funding. As threats from Iran escalate, America must be fully prepared to respond to and mitigate heightened threats to the homeland.”

Kristi Noem said in a post on X after she was fired: “Thank you Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Secretary Marco Rubio and War secretary Pete Hegseth are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.

“The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.

“We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard.”

What Happens Next

The Senate will consider Mullin’s nomination, and he could be confirmed on a party-line vote under current rules, although Democrats may use procedural tools to slow the process as DHS oversight intensifies.

Noem will serve as special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, and the administration will launch the initiative at a summit in Florida as it seeks to reset DHS leadership amid ongoing policy and political pressures.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies during a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security o...Read More | AP

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.